Cap Corse: the island within the island

From Saint-Florent: Cap Corse and Agriates Desert Boat Tour

The one trip that joins both sides of the Gulf of Saint-Florent: north along the cliffs of Cap Corse towards Nonza, then across to the Agriates for the beaches of Saleccia and Lotu and a sea cave reached only by boat. Paddleboards and snorkelling equipment are carried on board and lunch is part of the day. Rated 4.7 by more than 200 guests, it is the most-booked Cap Corse experience on GetYourGuide.

• The west coast of Cap Corse and Nonza seen from the sea
• Swimming stops, paddleboards and snorkelling gear on board
• Beach time on the white sand of Saleccia, with lunch

Cap Corse & Agriates Desert Half-Day Boat Trip

A shorter, cheaper version of the day cruise: four hours on a 12-seater boat out of Saint-Florent, with coves that have no road, swimming stops, paddleboards and snorkelling. With close to 250 reviews it has the largest number of ratings of any trip in the area — a good choice if you want a morning or an afternoon at sea rather than a whole day.

• Small group on a 12-seat boat
• Hidden coves and beaches of the Agriates coast
• Paddleboarding and snorkelling stops

Le Grand Tour: Cap Corse Sailing Trip from Bastia Old Harbour

Four hours under sail along the eastern shore of the cape, starting from the old harbour in the middle of Bastia. You pass the Genoese towers and marinas that the D80 strings together, seen from the side they were built to watch, with a stop to swim. The easiest way to get onto the water if you are staying in town or arriving by ferry.

• Leaves from Bastia’s Vieux Port — no car needed
• Genoese towers, villages and coves of the east coast
• Swimming stop in a small group

Family Discovery Boat Tour: Bastia Old Port to Erbalunga

About ninety minutes on the water from Bastia’s Vieux Port up the first stretch of the cape, past villages and Genoese towers towards Erbalunga, and back. It is the lowest-priced boat trip on this page and short enough for small children or anyone unsure of their sea legs.

• A short first taste of Cap Corse by sea
• Erbalunga and its tower from the water
• Easy length for children

Saint-Florent 4x4: Saleccia and Lotu Beaches with Sentier des Douaniers Hike

The rough track into the Agriates is closed to ordinary hire cars, which is why this package exists: a 4x4 takes you in and out, you walk the coastal customs path between the two beaches (roughly an hour and a quarter) and you have free time to swim at both. A full day; bring water, a hat and your own picnic unless the listing says otherwise.

• Return 4x4 transfer across the Agriates track
• About 1 hour 15 minutes on foot along the coast path
• Free time on both Saleccia and Lotu

Wine Tasting: Saint-Florent & Patrimonio

Three unhurried hours in a Patrimonio-area vineyard: the cellar, the vines, a complete tasting and a homemade picnic to finish. Patrimonio was Corsica’s first appellation, and its Niellucciu reds, Vermentinu whites and Muscat du Cap Corse are the wines you will see on every list around the cape — this is the pleasant way to learn which you like. Few reviews so far, but all very high.

• Walk from the cellar out into the vines
• A full tasting of the estate’s wines
• Homemade picnic in a quiet setting

Bastia: Les Légendines, an Unusual Tour

Designed by Bastia’s own tourist office, the “Légendines” tell the town’s stories — its mysteries, art and history — through a guided walk that includes Corsican polyphonic singing and tastings. At the price it is the best-value guided experience in town; check the language of the departure before you book.

• Created by the Bastia tourist office
• Corsican polyphonic singing
• Local tastings along the way

Bastia

The Genoese port where every Cap Corse trip begins

Corsica’s second city and its busiest ferry port sits at the foot of the cape. Tall, weathered houses ring the Vieux Port beneath the twin towers of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the Genoese citadel of Terra Nova looks down from its rock, and Place Saint-Nicolas spreads its cafés along the seafront. Give it at least half a day before you turn north.

Erbalunga

The painters’ harbour, ten kilometres from Bastia

A handful of pastel houses crowded onto a rocky point, with a ruined Genoese tower at the tip and fishing boats pulled up below the plane trees: Erbalunga is the prettiest marina on the east coast and the first real stop on the D80. Come for a swim off the rocks and lunch by the water.

Sentier des Douaniers

The customs officers’ path round the tip of Corsica

The finest walk on the cape follows the old coastguard path from Macinaggio to Barcaggio and on to Centuri: about 19 kilometres of empty beaches, low maquis, Genoese towers and island views, with no road in sight. Most people walk the first section, around three hours to Barcaggio, past the half-ruined Santa Maria tower standing in the sea.

Centuri

France’s lobster port, and the windmill above it

A horseshoe of grey-green stone houses round a miniature harbour full of fishing boats: Centuri is known as France’s leading port for spiny lobster, and its quayside restaurants serve the catch a few metres from where it is landed. On the pass above, the Moulin Mattei gives the widest view on the cape.

Nonza

A tower on a black cliff above a black beach

The most photographed village on the cape clings to a rock more than a hundred metres above the sea. Climb to the Paoline tower for the view, visit the church of Santa Giulia, patron saint of Corsica, and look down on the long dark-grey beach where visitors spell out messages in white pebbles.

Saint-Florent

The chic little port at the foot of the cape

A Genoese foundation of the 15th century, Saint-Florent wraps a busy marina, a round citadel and a tangle of old lanes around the head of its gulf. It is the natural end of the Cap Corse loop, the departure point for boats to the Agriates beaches, and the most popular place to stay on the west side.